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English Entrance Requirements for International Students

­­English is the primary language of instruction at VCC. All applicants are required to demonstrate the appropriate level of English language proficiency to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom.

English entrance requirements vary by programs. Here's how you can check the requirements and equivalencies accepted.

  1. Visit the program page of your choice, and find out the English grade required for the program.
  2. Refer to the chart below for the common assessments you can use to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
  3. Click on the English grades below to see other equivalencies accepted, such as CAEL, Cambridge, PTE, VCC EAL Accuplacer assessments, University English grade, BC EAP level, and more.
  4. Planning to study English to meet the requirements? Check out the options available to international students.
English Grade IELTS Academic Duolingo English Test TOEFL iBT
English 10

Overall: 5.5

with no band less than 5.0

Overall: 95 Overall: 50
English 11

Overall: 6.0

with no band less than 5.5

Overall: 105 Overall: 70

Communications 12

English 12 C-

English 12 C

English 12 C+

Overall: 6.5

with no band less than 6.0

Overall: 115 Overall: 80
English 12 B

Overall: 6.5

Listening: 6.0

Speaking: 6.5

Reading: 6.0

Writing: 6.5

Overall: 120 Overall: 90

 


CAEL CE/CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language Test), Cambridge Assessment (B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE)), Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English) and TOEFL iBT are accepted as external test options for meeting VCC's English entrance requirements, in addition to VCC EAL (ESL) Accuplacer + VCC EAL (ESL) Speaking Assessment. English test scores are valid for 2 years. The test scores must be valid at the time a complete application is received at VCC. 

Remember to submit your test scores to VCC.


Speaking and listening requirements can be satisfied through secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the medium of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages. 

American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Gambia

Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
New Zealand
Nigeria
Saint Helena

Saint Lucia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
South Africa
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 


Students from institutions accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and B.C. Certified Offshore Schools may meet VCC's English language requirements if they have an equivalent academic English course with the respective grade required by the program. Please contact study@vcc.ca for more information.

*English as an Additional Language (EAL/ESL) courses are not considered in the three-year calculation.

Other equivalencies may also be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Submit a complete application to confirm if the English entrance requirements are met.

 

Study English to Meet the Requirements

If you do not meet VCC's English admissions requirements, you may study at VCC's  program, or at VCC's partner language schools (ILAC or ILSC) to meet VCC's requirements. 

 

    Submit Test Scores to VCC

    Remember to request your scores to be submitted to VCC for your application to be reviewed.

     

    CAEL CE/CAEL Online

    Request your CAEL Official Score Report by providing VCC's details when registering CAEL, or up to 1 business day before your scores are posted on the CAEL website. Check the CAEL website for more details.

     

    Cambridge Assessment

    Provide your test details, such as Cambridge centre, candidate numbers, and the relevant examination series (identified by month and year e.g., June 2014) so we may verify your results. Check the Cambridge Assessment website for more details.

     

    Duolingo English Test

    Request the Duolingo results to be sent directly to VCC - International Student Admission and inform VCC once it is requested. Results are typically released to VCC within 48 hours of the request. Check the Duolingo English Test website for more details.

     

    IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic Online

    Submit the IELTS Test Report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the IELTS website is not accepted, unless the Test Report Form (TRF) number is provided. Check the IELTS website for more details.

     

    PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English) 

    Request the PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online results to be sent directly to Vancouver Community College and inform VCC of either your ‘Score Report Code’ or ‘Registration ID’ once it is requested.

     

    TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition

    Submit the TOEFL iBT score report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the TOEFL website is not accepted, unless the Appointment Number is provided. Check the TOEFL website for more details.